A Fate So Cold Summary, Characters and Themes

A Fate So Cold by Amanda Foody and C.L. Herman is a fantasy novel that explores the world of young magicians, destiny, and the weight of immense power. Set in the city of Gallamere, the story follows two protagonists, Domenic Barrow and Ellery Caldwell, who must confront their insecurities, fears, and the looming threat of Winter, a destructive force that appears every century.

With powerful magical wands at the center of their lives, Domenic and Ellery must navigate complex relationships, a prophecy, and their roles in preventing a cataclysmic event. As their paths intertwine, the two magicians must face harsh truths about their own abilities, the nature of their magic, and the sacrifices required to save their world from destruction.

Summary

Domenic Barrow, a struggling magician, is drawn into a late-night excursion by his old friend Hanna. They venture into the secret Vault beneath the Citadel, which houses the Living Wands, magical instruments that bond with their wielders for life.

Most magicians have already bonded with their wands, but Domenic has not found the right one. Hanna, who already wields the powerful wand Syarthis, encourages him to search for his bond.

During their journey, they face a series of challenges and encounter various magical wands. Despite his insecurities, Domenic contemplates bonding with a powerful wand, including the legendary Valmordion, capable of defeating the deadly Winters.

Meanwhile, Ellery Caldwell, a top student at the academy, is struggling to bond with any of the Living Wands, a failure that causes her much frustration. Despite her outward success, she battles with insecurities, feeling pressure to live up to the expectations placed upon her.

She longs to bond with a powerful wand like Iberiad or Belixor, but time is running out. Her relationship with Julian Norwood, a confident but distant classmate, adds to her personal struggles.

The city of Gallamere begins to experience signs of impending doom as Winter, a destructive force, prepares to return to Alderland. The approaching Winter is a cataclysmic event that happens once every century.

As fear of the coming disaster grows, the magicians of the Order prepare for its arrival. Domenic, still unsure of his abilities and his place in the magical world, tries to escape his fears by wandering the city.

In a movie theater, he unexpectedly encounters Ellery, and they strike up a conversation. Their meeting sparks a moment of connection, and Domenic confesses his admiration for magic.

However, their brief peace is interrupted when a winterghast, a creature from Winter, appears in the city, causing widespread chaos.

Ellery leads Domenic into battle against the winterghast. Despite their fear, they work together to defeat the creature, with Ellery using her magic to freeze it while Domenic weakens it with his own spell.

Their combined efforts save the city from a devastating winterstorm. After the battle, the two grow closer, but Ellery remains haunted by painful memories of her past.

Despite the cheers of the crowd, she is left to confront her inner turmoil.

In the aftermath, Domenic returns home, shaken by the events. He realizes that he may never become the hero everyone expects him to be.

However, he finds comfort in his friend Iseul, who cares for him despite his doubts and insecurities. As the cataclysmic event draws nearer, both Domenic and Ellery must face their own fears and accept their roles in preventing the disaster.

The story ends with a sense of foreboding, as the forces of Winter prepare to return.

As the plot progresses, the tension surrounding the impending Winter grows stronger. Ellery is summoned by the Council of Magicians, who believe she may be the Chosen One destined to wield Valmordion, the most powerful wand, to prevent the catastrophe.

Despite her fears, Ellery is forced to confront her doubts and take up the mantle of leadership. She struggles with the pressure placed upon her, but the Council insists that she must bond with Valmordion to save the land.

Meanwhile, Domenic, who wishes to bond with a less powerful wand, is unexpectedly chosen by Valmordion. This decision overwhelms him, and he questions whether he is capable of fulfilling such an immense responsibility.

As both Ellery and Domenic grapple with their destinies, they must also face the growing threat of Winter. The closer they get to the truth about their roles, the more they realize the devastating consequences of their actions.

The city prepares for battle as Winter encroaches on Alderland, and the two magicians must come to terms with the power they hold and the choices they must make to save their world.

The journey becomes even more complicated when a vision reveals the true nature of the prophecy. Domenic learns that Syarthis, the wand that once bonded with Hanna, had tampered with the prophecy to prevent its fulfillment.

Syarthis had manipulated Hanna into playing a role in its own destructive plan. Domenic manages to break the bond between Hanna and Syarthis, but the damage is done.

With Hanna unconscious and Syarthis’s influence removed, Domenic and Ellery are left with the remnants of the prophecy. They must now work quickly to stop the approaching storm and fulfill their roles in the prophecy.

In their final journey, Domenic and Ellery must confront not only the magical threats of Winter but also the traitors within their own ranks. As the storm grows more intense, they uncover the truth about the Dire Three, powerful entities tied to the prophecy.

These beings, along with the forces of Winter, threaten the very existence of Alderland. The two magicians are forced into a battle that could either save or doom their world.

Despite their growing bond, the emotional toll of their mission becomes overwhelming. Domenic and Ellery face difficult choices, as their magic grows more unstable and the threat of the Dire Three becomes imminent.

They must rely on each other, but the stakes are higher than ever as they race to fulfill the prophecy before it’s too late.

In the final confrontation, Ellery faces the full extent of her power. She is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, killing Domenic to stop the storm and fulfill her part of the prophecy.

Though victorious, Ellery is left with immense grief, knowing that her actions have changed the course of history. The land is left in ruins, and Ellery, despite being hailed as a hero, is left to confront the cost of her decisions.

The story concludes with Ellery standing alone, uncertain of the future, but determined to face whatever comes next, as she embraces the new fate that has been thrust upon her.

Characters

Domenic Barrow

Domenic Barrow is a complex character whose journey is marked by self-doubt, fear of inadequacy, and an internal struggle with destiny. As a struggling magician, he lacks confidence in his abilities, often comparing himself unfavorably to peers like Hanna, who has already bonded with a powerful wand, Syarthis.

Domenic dreams of bonding with a legendary wand like Octorion but feels unworthy of such power. His journey into the Vault and the discovery of the legendary Valmordion push him toward the realization that he may have a significant role in the fate of Alderland.

Despite his initial reluctance to embrace his potential, he faces immense pressure when Valmordion chooses him. His struggles with this newfound responsibility reflect his fear of failure, and his magical abilities grow unstable as he grapples with the immense power now at his disposal.

Domenic’s internal battle between denying his fate and accepting the destiny that comes with Valmordion highlights his vulnerability, which is exacerbated by his fear of failing the city and everyone who depends on him. Despite these insecurities, Domenic’s bond with his friend Iseul provides him with some solace, and his moments of vulnerability with Ellery reveal a quieter side to his character.

His eventual realization that he may not be the hero everyone expects him to be, combined with the weight of the prophecy and the battle against Winter, leads to a tragic conclusion, as his bond with Ellery becomes fraught with tension, culminating in his death.

Ellery Caldwell

Ellery Caldwell is a brilliant but conflicted magician, constantly striving to live up to the expectations of others while struggling with her own identity and self-doubt. Despite her top-ranking position at the academy, she fails to bond with a Living Wand, which deeply affects her sense of self-worth.

Her desire to wield a powerful wand like Iberiad or Belixor is overshadowed by her fear of failure and the pressure to meet the high expectations set by her peers. Her relationship with Julian Norwood is strained, reflecting her inner turmoil and the difficulty she faces in reconciling her public success with her internal insecurities.

As the city braces for Winter’s return, Ellery’s personal journey intertwines with the broader struggle for survival, especially as she becomes a potential candidate to wield Valmordion, the most powerful wand in the land. However, Ellery’s fears and her traumatic history with Winterghasts create a barrier that makes her reluctant to take on such a monumental role.

Her connection to Winter’s magic further complicates her journey, as she begins to uncover the darker truths about her bond with her wand, Iskarius. Throughout the story, Ellery is forced to confront her own past, the weight of her destiny, and her place in the prophecy that seeks to decide the future of Alderland.

Her emotional struggles come to a head in the final battle, where she must make difficult decisions that weigh heavily on her conscience, ultimately leading her to kill Domenic and assume the role of a reluctant victor in a war that leaves her with profound grief.

Hanna

Hanna is a key character in A Fate So Cold who plays a pivotal role in Domenic’s journey. Initially, she is portrayed as a powerful and confident magician, already bonded with Syarthis, a wand of immense power.

She seems to be a foil to Domenic, someone who has achieved what he aspires to but with little apparent internal conflict. Hanna’s relationship with Domenic is complex, as she pushes him into situations that challenge his perceptions of himself, like the excursion to the Vault.

Her encouragement for Domenic to bond with Valmordion, despite his hesitations, represents a guiding force in his story. However, Hanna’s character is also marred by her involvement with Syarthis, whose manipulation of her and her bond to the wand eventually comes to light.

Syarthis’s interference in the prophecy and his desire to bring about a cataclysm put Hanna in a position of betrayal, especially when Domenic realizes the role she has unwittingly played in his deception. Despite her strength, Hanna is not immune to vulnerability, and her ultimate near-death experience after Domenic breaks the bond with Syarthis demonstrates her fragility.

Hanna’s arc illustrates the danger of power and manipulation, showing that even those who seem invincible can be susceptible to forces beyond their control.

Iseul

Iseul serves as a supporting character who plays a significant role in Domenic’s emotional journey. As a close friend of Domenic, Iseul provides a source of comfort and understanding amidst Domenic’s constant self-doubt and fear of failure.

While not as prominent in the narrative as some of the other characters, Iseul’s quiet support and care for Domenic offer a grounding presence in his life. In the face of the looming cataclysm, Iseul remains a symbol of unconditional friendship and a source of emotional stability for Domenic, even when he feels like he is failing everyone around him.

Iseul’s role is particularly important in the quieter moments of the story, where her friendship with Domenic becomes a stabilizing force that contrasts with the more intense external conflicts. Iseul’s loyalty and care for Domenic help him navigate his internal turmoil and give him the strength to face the challenges ahead.

Julian Norwood

Julian Norwood is a confident and ambitious classmate of Ellery, but his relationship with her is fraught with tension. Although he is one of the top students at the academy, his ambitions and sense of superiority create a rift between him and Ellery, who struggles with her own feelings of inadequacy.

Julian represents the external pressure that Ellery faces to succeed, and his more abrasive attitude highlights the divide between her inner turmoil and the expectations placed on her. While Julian’s role is more peripheral compared to some of the other characters, his interactions with Ellery serve to emphasize the complexities of her character, particularly her fears about living up to the idealized version of herself that others expect her to be.

His character underscores the broader themes of competition and self-perception within the world of magic, where ambition can lead to both success and isolation.

Syarthis

Syarthis, a powerful Living Wand, is a central antagonist in A Fate So Cold, manipulating both Hanna and Domenic for its own ends. Though Syarthis is an inanimate object, its influence on the characters and the plot is profound.

Its ability to control and deceive makes it one of the most dangerous forces in the story. The way it manipulates Hanna, pushing her into destructive actions, and its eventual confrontation with Domenic, when he breaks their bond, highlights its sinister nature.

Syarthis’s ultimate goal is to bring about a cataclysm that would destroy humanity and release itself from its bond, effectively undoing the order of the world. Syarthis’s manipulation of the prophecy and its role in causing a deep sense of betrayal in the characters reflects the larger theme of the destructive nature of power when it is used for personal gain.

The complex relationship between Syarthis and its wielders illustrates the themes of control, manipulation, and the inherent dangers of power.

Peak

Peak is a seasoned officer of the Nature Defense Corps (NDC) and plays an important role in the latter part of the story as Domenic and Ellery prepare for the impending invasion to retake Winter. His pragmatic and battle-hardened nature provides a sharp contrast to the more introspective struggles of Domenic and Ellery.

Peak’s experience in the military makes him a reliable source of information as the characters face the terrifying threat of the Dire Three. Though Peak is primarily a supporting character, his contributions to the planning and execution of the mission are crucial to the development of the plot, as he helps prepare the group for the battle that lies ahead.

Peak’s straightforward, no-nonsense attitude serves as a grounding force amid the chaos, but his character also reflects the harsh realities of the conflict, where the stakes are incredibly high and the outcome uncertain.

Themes

The Burden of Destiny

Destiny plays a central role in A Fate So Cold, with both Domenic and Ellery facing the weight of expectations placed upon them. Domenic, a magician constantly struggling with self-doubt and a sense of failure, is reluctantly thrust into the role of the “Chosen One” after bonding with the powerful wand Valmordion.

He is overwhelmed by the pressure of being expected to save Alderland from the impending disaster tied to Winter. His fear of failure and the immense responsibility of wielding such power torment him, as he is forced to confront his deepest insecurities about his abilities.

Similarly, Ellery, despite her success and top-ranking status at the academy, faces her own struggles with the concept of destiny. Her failure to bond with a Living Wand initially heightens her anxiety, but the prospect of becoming the one who wields Valmordion—thus bearing the fate of her country—puts her in a position where she must reconcile her inner fears with the external demands of prophecy.

Both characters are caught in a complex relationship with destiny. For Domenic, his refusal to accept his role stems from the belief that he is not worthy of the responsibility.

The internal conflict arises from his perception of himself as an ordinary magician, far from heroic, yet he finds himself at the center of a grand cosmic plan. For Ellery, destiny is not a choice, but an inescapable force she must come to terms with, regardless of her personal doubts.

The theme of destiny in the novel explores the complexities of fate and free will, showing how individuals struggle to control their own futures when greater forces seem to dictate their paths. The inevitable convergence of their lives, despite their reluctance, reveals the characters’ need to embrace their roles—no matter the personal cost.

This theme challenges the notion of a predetermined future, instead illustrating the personal sacrifices and internal battles that come with facing one’s destiny.

The Fear of Failure and Self-Worth

The characters’ struggles with failure and self-worth are pivotal to the emotional depth of A Fate So Cold. Domenic’s fear of failure is intertwined with his feelings of inadequacy as a magician.

While his peers excel in their abilities, he remains unable to bond with a wand, which reinforces his sense of being lesser. This is particularly evident in his relationship with Hanna, who has already bonded with the powerful wand Syarthis and whose prodigious talents further highlight Domenic’s shortcomings.

Even when he is faced with Valmordion, a legendary wand capable of great power, Domenic hesitates, feeling unworthy of the responsibility it entails. His internal dialogue reveals how deeply he believes that he is not the hero everyone expects him to be, amplifying his struggle with self-worth.

Ellery, on the other hand, while successful in her academic pursuits, is burdened by her own internal doubts. The pressure to bond with a powerful Living Wand and fulfill the role of the Chosen One weighs heavily on her.

She constantly feels as if she is living in the shadow of others, particularly when it becomes clear that her destiny is bound to Valmordion. Despite her outward success, Ellery’s constant struggle with self-worth stems from her fear of being defined solely by her magical abilities, which she has yet to fully trust.

Her journey is not just about external conflict, but the internal battle to accept her true potential, despite the many insecurities that hold her back.

The fear of failure in both characters speaks to the universal human experience of striving for perfection in a world where success is often defined by external validation. A Fate So Cold emphasizes the emotional toll that the fear of not living up to expectations can take on an individual.

Domenic and Ellery’s personal growth hinges on their ability to confront and overcome their self-doubt, learning to find their value not in comparison to others, but in the acceptance of their unique abilities and roles within the larger narrative.

The Cost of Power

In A Fate So Cold, power is not only a gift but also a burden. Both Domenic and Ellery experience the immense cost of wielding power, particularly through their bonds with the Living Wands.

Domenic’s connection to Valmordion, a wand capable of immense destruction, brings with it a profound sense of responsibility and fear. His bond with the wand forces him into a role he does not want, and the power he wields becomes both a source of strength and a constant reminder of the destructive consequences of failure.

The more he tries to escape his fate, the more the power he holds pulls him back, drawing him into the very destiny he wishes to avoid. This internal conflict highlights the theme of power as a double-edged sword, where those who wield it are often the ones most affected by it.

Ellery’s relationship with her wand, Iskarius, similarly illustrates the cost of power. As the power of Winter grows, Ellery finds herself increasingly connected to the very force she fears.

Her magic, once a source of strength, becomes intertwined with the destructive potential of Winter. The cost of her abilities becomes even more evident as she realizes that her actions, no matter how well-intentioned, could lead to catastrophic consequences.

The realization that Winter’s magic is alive within her creates a deep moral dilemma—one where her desire to protect her people conflicts with the destructive nature of the power she commands.

The theme of the cost of power in A Fate So Cold is explored through the characters’ relationships with their wands and the catastrophic consequences of their actions. Power in this world is not simply about control, but about sacrifice.

Those who wield it must constantly grapple with its consequences, as it demands not only their strength but also their humanity. Both Domenic and Ellery’s struggles reveal that true power often comes with a price that cannot be paid lightly, forcing them to reconsider their roles and the sacrifices required to achieve their goals.

The Influence of Friendship and Loyalty

Friendship and loyalty are significant themes in A Fate So Cold, particularly in the relationship between Domenic and Hanna. Despite his feelings of inadequacy, Domenic is not alone in his journey.

Hanna, a close friend who has already bonded with Syarthis, offers him support, even when his own confidence falters. Their shared history and trust in each other provide Domenic with a sense of belonging, even as he questions his worth.

However, this bond is tested when Hanna is manipulated by Syarthis, forcing Domenic to make a difficult choice. His decision to break the bond between Hanna and Syarthis is an act of both loyalty and love, showing his willingness to sacrifice for his friend’s well-being, despite the personal cost.

In addition, the growing bond between Domenic and Ellery reflects the theme of loyalty in a different light. Initially, their relationship is awkward, built on a shared sense of vulnerability and self-doubt.

However, as they face the threat of Winter together, their connection deepens. Ellery and Domenic’s ability to rely on each other during the battle against the winterghast highlights the importance of trust and cooperation in times of crisis.

Their growing loyalty to one another becomes a foundation for their actions as they prepare to confront the looming catastrophe.

A Fate So Cold explores how loyalty, whether to friends, allies, or even one’s cause, serves as a vital force that shapes the characters’ decisions and paths. The relationships within the story emphasize that, even in the face of immense pressure and uncertainty, the bonds we form with others can provide strength and direction.

However, the theme also underscores the fragility of these bonds, as characters are often forced to choose between loyalty to individuals and loyalty to a larger cause. Ultimately, the choices the characters make about loyalty reflect their growth and the complex nature of their relationships.